Step 1. Determine your use case, so you can identify your ideal travel platform.
Small/Micro Vans
- DIY low budget workable solution for cheap components for a minivan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25VBk8AOqRQ
- https://www.contravans.com
- Starting at $995 for car camper kits, $3,995 for van camper kits, and $8,995 for cargovan camper kits; price includes installation in Denver, Colorado
- Van type: Ram ProMaster City, Ford Transit Connect, Mercedes Metris, Dodge Grand Caravan. Kits for Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, Kia Sedona, and Nissan NV 200 all coming soon.
Promaster City
- Wayfarer https://wayfarervans.com (Modular)
- Cost: $4,696 to $8,795 depending on whether you are outfitting the larger or smaller Ram van. Items also available a la cart.
- Van type: Ram Promaster City CARGO/Tradesmen SLT or Standard or the Ram Promaster 1500 or 2500, 136” wheelbase, high-roof top.
Nissan NV
Ford Connect
MiniVans
Sienna
https://www.freewaycamperkit.com/en/
- Nice design, but as of Oct 2019, there is no design to keep the rear seats of a minivan.
https://gtrv.com ($5,000 – $7,000)
- Toyota Sienna 2011 and newer
Odyssey
https://www.freewaycamperkit.com/en/
- Nice design, but as of Oct 2019, there is no design to keep the rear seats of a minivan.
Large Vans
A good resource for the “big 3” large van’s dimensions: https://sportsmobile.com/van-dimensions/
Ford Transit
- https://www.fordtransitusaforum.com
- Modular conversion camper kits
- https://wayfarervans.com/wilford-camper-kit/
- FORD TRANSIT 148″ WHEEL BASE, HIGH ROOF only, as of 01/10/2020 there is no wayfarer conversion for passenger vans, only cargo vans. So if you need factory seating for more than 2 people this option will require some customization. I have seen jump seats by the door installed with wayfarer vans, seems the main part is to have to cut into their flooring so that you can access the factory seat mounts.
- https://adventurewagon.com (Only bed currently)
- https://www.buyawandervan.com/#intro (Bunk bed system for $7500)
- https://wayfarervans.com/wilford-camper-kit/
- Pop Top
- https://www.modvans.com
- https://gtrv.com ($5,000 – $7,000)
- https://sportsmobile.com/penthouse-top/ (~$10,000)
Sprinter
- Modular conversion camper kits
- https://www.zenvanz.com
- Cost: $18,000 for 144 wheelbase and $22,000 for 170 wheelbase
- Van type: Mercedes Sprinter
- Details: Made from aluminum exoskeleton and bent bamboo panels, the ZENVANZ DIY van kit is a complete cabinetry and component system you install into your van using factory holes.
- https://www.zenvanz.com
Dodge RAM Promaster cargo van
- Wayfarer https://wayfarervans.com
- Cost: $4,696 to $8,795 depending on whether you are outfitting the larger or smaller Ram van. Items also available a la cart.
- Van type: Ram Promaster 1500 or 2500, 136” wheelbase, high-roof top.
- https://www.cascadecampers.com/faq
- ~$7500, all included. Has sink, fridge, stove, everything you need, minimalistic design mentality. Bench converts to bed.
Ford Econoline
Nissan NV
No longer manufactures, so there are limited new options here for the NV. Also its large V8 engine is the worse for MPG of the options above, but it can tow a relatively large trailer compared to other options.
Pop Top Conversions
- https://www.coloradocampervan.com/pop-top-info
- ($10,000-$15,000)
- https://gtrv.com ($5,000 – $7,000)
- Toyota Sienna 2011 and newer
- Nissan NV 200
- Mercedes Metris
- Mercedes Sprinter 144”, 170”
- Ford Transit 130”, 148”
- Chevy/GMC Express/Savannah 135”, 155”
- Dodge Promaster 136”, 159”
- Nissan NV Cargo 146”
High Top Conversion
- http://fiberine.com/GVMR/Home.html
- (~$2,000-$3500, e.g. 24″ top cost $2500 installed, plus $450 for a window)
Accessories
- Custom foam mattresses and cushions:
Other Links For More Info
- Bed designs:
- Cargo Van Reliability comparison:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMSmk8RgO5g
- 2004-2006 Sprinter May Be Most Reliable
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMSmk8RgO5g
- Adventure Wagon installer Van Build Companies
- https://www.cacampervan.com (Encinitas,
- Campo Vans, Santa Barbara CA
- Elevated Van Works – Truckee CA
- VANCo – Sacramento CA
- Kon Tiki Conversions, Bend OR
- The Mountain Standard, Portland OR
- Kids Cot Bed Systems
- 3 Seat converts to bed
- Converting your van to a camper:
Van Alternatives
Car/SUV Options
An SUV or other car can be a great alternative to vanlife, especially for just one or two people and for weekend camping.
Reliable cars to consider: https://carbuyingsupport.com/best-used-cars-to-buy/
SUV
-Some resources and inspiration:
SUVRVing on youtube is a great resource for SUV travel especially if you have a Toyota RAV4
SubOverland is a company that buys older high milage (175-200k for example) Suburbans and fixes them up for sale. The base without any bed, just a lifted suburban for overlanding starts at $5,500. Starting at $9,500 (includes vehicle), the “ichi” version has everything found in their base version, plus custom wood work in the interior.
Car
A great place to start is just camping in whatever car you already have. Some more luxurious options are a Tesla with the camping mode and also a Toyota Prius which can automatically turn on heat or air conditioning when the battery gets low, so you can be really comfortable all night.
Some interesting car accessories:
- Customized air mattresses for cars and SUVs: https://lunolife.com/products/luno-air-mattress-2-0
Trailers
A variety of types of trailers: https://littleguytrailers.com/
Tear drop trailers (Cute, but small inside. Typically lightweight so you can tow with a small car even).
Square drop/Typical trailers.
- https://www.weeroll.com/ (affordable and strong trailer can be customized)
Scamp trailers (Around $10,000, has a good amount of space compared to a teardrop).
- https://www.youtube.com/c/PlayingwithSticks/ Alaskan couple has a scamp and a teardrop. They also review outdoor gear and adventures.
Pop Up Campers
- These are one of the cheapest and easiest ways for larger families to get into RV camping, but there are some downsides too.